Flexible transmitting device



April s, 1930. G' P' LUCK Re. 17,639

FLEXIBLE TRANSMITTING DEVICE.

I Original Filed Jan.v l1. 1922 Ressued Apr. 8, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

I GEORGE P. LUCKEY, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO AMERICAN CABLE COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE FLEXIBLE TRANSMITTING DEVICE Original No. 1,427,829, dated September 5, 1922, Serial No. 528,554, led January 11, 1922.- Application for reissue led March 7, 1929.A Serial No. 345,121.

This invention relates'generally to flexible l transmitting devices and more particularly to improvements in the casings of such devices.

The common form of Bowden control consists of a flexible casing having a flexible element therein which can be moved back and forth longitudinally with respect to the casing. When this type of control is used to transmit a large force with rapid oscillations of the inner wire or rod (as for example in operating the trigger motor of a synchronized machine gun) the casing, which is usually formed of spirally-coiled wire with the coils arranged close to each other, is compressed and springs out or expands so that its length relatively to the 4inner wire is changed.

The presentV invention aims to provide a casing which is flexible but which will not stretch or compress longitudinally. The fundamental part of this casing consists of a tube made up of longitudinal members extending the length of the casing. These longitudinally extending members are p revented from moving inv any direction relative to each other exceptI longitudinally and in this direction they are allowed to slide upon each other when the casing is bent.

The invention is described in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrative of different embodiments thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the longi-A tudinal wires of the casing;

Figure 2 is a side elevation showing the longitudinally VVextending wires slightly twisted about the longitudinal axis of the casing;

Figures 3 and 4 are longitudinal and transverse sections respectively through a control casing. The control wire being also shown in Fig. 3;

Figures 5 and 6 are longitudinal and transverse sections respectively of a modified form of casing; and

Figures 7 and 8, 9 and 10, and 11 and 12 are longitudinal and transverse sections of further forms of casings which are included within the purview of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1, 3 and 4, the numeral 10 designates longitudinally extending wires arranged in contact so as to form a hollow cylinder. In order to prevent lateral displacement of these' wires, loosely coiled. springs 11 and 12 are placed inside and outside of the tube formed by the longitudinal wires. The core or central wire 13 extends longitudinally within the coiled spring 11. A single layer of wires 10, having as small a diameter as the forces to be exerted will allow, is preferably used to obtain flexibility. If the wires comprising the casing are slightly twisted so that they make a very steep spiral as indicated at 10'-, Fig. 2, then when the casing is bent the wires are all compressed or extended equally. The wire on the outside of the bend on one portionfwill have been turned so that it is on the inside a little farther along.

Accordingly, the casing is flexible, but will not stretch or compress, longitudinally, so thatits length relatively to the inner wire 13 is unchanged when the device is bent.

The ends of the wires in this form of the casing will all remain in the same plane, transversely of the casing, at each end thereof, whether the casing be straight or bent. A casing of this type made up of a large number of small Wires is more flexible than one composed of a few large wires. Satisfactory results may also be obtained by using a loosely coiled spring 11 on the inside of the longitudinal wires and any suitable wrapping such as the wire, cord or fabric 15 illustrated in Fig. 5 on the outside for holding the wires together.

In the form of casing shown in Figs. 5 and 6 a number of relatively large wires, herein designated '14 and shown as six in number, are arranged longitudinally and held together in cylindrical form by a cord, wire or fabric 15 wrapped or woven around the exterior thereof.

Longitudinally extending wires 16 of wedge-shaped section are placed so as to form sectors of a hollow cylindrical casingq as shown in Figures 7 and 8. These wires are maintained from outward radial movement by a suitable binding 17. The wedge-shaped form of the wires prevents inward radial movements thereof but permits relatively longitudinal" sliding movements when the casing is bent.

Instead of a loosely coiled spring on the inside a series of rigid rings 18, Figures 9 and 10 may be used having axial openings 1 9 of discs although a flexible binding may be employed, if desired.

It will be understood that the particular constructions described and shown have been chosen for illustrative purposes merely and that the invention as delined by the claims hereunto appended may be otherwise embodied and applied without departing from the s irit and scope thereof.

I c aim:

1. In a flexible transmitting device, a casing comprising longitudinally extendingmembers of a material adapted to offer substantial resistance to compression in the direction of the axes of said members, and means constraining said members against relative displacement other than relative longitudinal movement when the casing is bent.

2. The combination with a non-revoluble and flexible element for transmitting power and motion, of a casing surrounding said element comprising longitudinally extending members of a material adapted to offer substantial resistance to compression in the direction of the axes of said members and means constraining said members from relative lateral displacement.

3. In a exible transmitting device, a casing comprising longitudinally extending wires forming a hollow cylinder, and means constraining said wires against relative displacement other than relative longitudinal movement when the casing is bent.

4. The combination with a non-revoluble and flexible element for transmitting power and motion, of a casing surrounding said element comprising longitudinally extending wires and means constraining said wires from wires arranged in contact, side by side, form. ing a'hollow cylinder, and means constraining said wires against relative displacement other than relative longitudinal movement when the casing is bent.

7. In a flexible transmitting device, a casing comprising longitudinally extending members, arranged in contact, side by side, and means constraining said members against relative displacement other than 'relative longitudinal movement when the casing is bent, said constraining means comprising an inner supporting coil and an outer wrapping means. v

8. In a flexible transmitting device, a cas- 'ing comprising longitudinally extending members, and means constraining said membersagainst relative displacement other than relative longitudinal movement when the casing is bent, said constraining means comprising loosely coiled springs placed inside and outside of the tube formed by the longitudinally extending members. f

9. In a flexible transmitting ing comprising longitudinally extending Wires forming a hollow cylinder, and means constraining said wires against relative displacement other than relative longitudinal movement when the casing is bent, said wires being formed spirally so that they are all compressed or extended equally when said. casing is bent.

10. In a flexible transmitting device, a casing comprising longitudinally extending wires forming a hollow cylinder, and means constraining said wires against relative displacement other than relative longitudinal movement when the casing is bent, said longitudinally extending wires being twisted with a steep spiral.

11. In a flexible transmitting device, a

casing comprising longitudinally extending wires forming a hollow cylinder, and meansv constraining said wires against relative dis placement other than relative longitudinal movement when the casing is bent, said longi tudinally extending wires being'tw-isted with a very steep spiral.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

GEORGE P. LUCKEY.'`

relative lateral displacement but permitting relative longitudinal movements thereof.

5. In a flexible 'transmitting device, a casving comprising longitudinally extending members, arranged in contact, side by side, and means constraining said members agains relative displacement other than relative lo' gitu'dinal movement when the casing is bent.

6. In a flexible transmitting device, a casing comprising longitudinally extending device, a cas-y i 

